Stackable Lid

ABSTRACT

A lid for a container is provided. The lid may include a central panel, an annular wall, an outer flange, an upwardly projecting ring, and an internal lip. The annular wall extends around the outer periphery of the central panel. The annual wall defines a recessed area adapted to engage an inward portion of the container. The outer flange extends outwardly from an upward region of the annular wall to a curled outer edge. The curled outer edge extends inward of and above a top edge of the container, such that the top edge of the container and the outer edge of the lid may support a second container stacked upon the first container. The internal lip extends inwardly from the upward region of the annular wall such that it provides a surface for fingers to grab and aid in the removal of the lid from the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to lids or molded caps for containers. More particularly, the invention relates to plug-style lids that seal container openings by engaging an inward surface or portion of the containers.

2) Description of Related Art

A wide range of rigid containers are used to store and handle products and materials. A typical container includes a body for providing an inner storage area and an opening for providing access to the storage area. A lid or other type of enclosure is used to close off the opening to secure and protect the products within the container during shipping and handling. In some applications, such as with containers storing oxygen-sensitive products and/or liquid products, the lid may be adapted for hermetically sealing the opening. Sealing the container may help preserve the stored products for a longer period of time or prevent the stored product from leaking out of the container.

Often the sealed lid must be adapted to withstand the rigors associated with shipping and handling. For example, in some applications, such as paint cans or containers, plug-style lids are often used. In general, a plug-style lid is a lid that is adapted to form an interference fit with an inner surface of the container. A plug-style lid usually forms a seal that can withstand shipping and handling.

However, a tool is often necessary to remove the plug-style lid from the container. Requiring a tool is less than desirable because the tool must be maintained, stored, and readily available. Also, in many cases, the use of the tool distorts the lid or container such that resealing the container is impractical and thus limits the shelf life of the stored products once the lid is initially removed.

Containers are often stacked one on top of another other during shipping or storage. Therefore it is desirable for the lid of one container to be able to support one or more containers that are stacked above it.

In light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a lid for closing an opening of a container that is adapted to withstand the rigors of shipping and handling. Also, it would be desirable if the lid is suitable for stacking or capable of being removed from the container without the use of a separate tool.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses one or more of the above needs by providing a lid for a container. The lid is securable to an inner portion of the container for closing an opening within the container. The lid provides an outer flange adapted for stacking a second container on top of the first container. The lid may also include a portion adapted for a user's fingers to grab and aid in the removal of the lid. In some embodiments, the lid may be removable from the container without the need for a separate removal tool.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lid includes a central panel, an annular wall, an outer flange, and an internal lip. The central panel is configured to cover the opening of the container. The annular wall extends around the outer periphery of the central panel from a lower region to an upward region. The annual wall defines a recessed area adapted to engage a distal end of a top rim of the container. The outer flange extends outwardly from the upward region of the annular wall to an outer edge. The outer edge extends inward of and above a top edge of the container. The outer edge corresponds to an inner diameter of a second container, such that the top edge of the first container may support the bottom end of a second container and the outer edge may engage an inward facing surface of the second container for stacking purposes. The internal lip extends inwardly from the upward region of the annular wall such that it provides a surface for fingers to grab and aid in the removal of the lid from the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and a lid according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container and the lid of FIG. 1, wherein the lid is partially out of the top opening of the container;

FIG. 3 a cross-sectional view of the container and the lid of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 and illustrating a user grasping the internal lip to remove the lid from the container;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second container stacked onto the first container of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the containers of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The present invention provides a lid for a container. The construction and type of container may vary. According to the illustrated embodiment, the container 50 includes a side wall 60 that defines an interior for storing products or materials. The side wall can be formed from various materials, including but not limited to metal (e.g., the side wall can be formed through a stamping and rolling process), composite (e.g., the side wall can be formed of paperboard laminated with an impervious liner of various constructions), or plastic (e.g., the side wall can be thermoformed or molded from polymer material(s)). The side wall 60 extends from a first end, referred to herein for descriptive purposes only as the top end 53, and a second end, referred to herein for descriptive purposes only as the bottom end 51.

The bottom end defines a bottom opening. The bottom opening may be closed by any suitable closure, such as a crimped metal end or double seamed end or the like, as known in the art. For example and as best seen in the second container 150 of FIG. 5, the bottom closure 170 includes an outer periphery 171 that defines a channel for receiving the bottom end 151 of the side wall. The bottom end 151 may be affixed within the channel by a variety of methods, including crimping, adhering, and/or welding the side wall to the bottom closure as known in the art. The bottom end 151 of the side wall together with the bottom closure 170 is referred to herein as the bottom portion 152 of the container. Also, an inward facing surface 172 of the bottom closure, which extends generally lengthwise of the container 150 and inside of the side wall 160 defines an inner diameter of the bottom portion of the container.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a top rim 56 of the container defines a top opening 58 that may be closed by the lid 10 of the present invention. More specifically, the container 50 may further include an end member 64 that is attached to the top end 53 of the side wall. The end member is generally a ring-shaped structure that includes a radially outer edge portion and a radially inner portion. The radially outer edge portion of the end member is curled such that it defines a generally annular channel for receiving the top end of the side wall. The top end 53 may be affixed within the channel by a variety of methods, including crimping, roll-seaming, adhering, and/or welding the side wall to the end member as known in the art. The top of the curled outer edge portion defines a top edge 66 of the container. The radially inner portion defines the top rim 56 of the container that extends inwardly from the top edge 66 to a distal end 62 that defines the top opening 58 of the container. As shown, the top rim may include a portion that extends downwardly from the top edge of the container.

The lid 10 of the present invention includes a central panel 12, an annular wall 14, and an outer flange 18. The central panel 12 is configured to cover the top opening 58. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the central panel 12 is shaped and dimensioned to substantially correspond to the circular top opening 58. The annular wall 14 extends around the periphery of the central panel 12 from a lower region 15 to an upward region 16. The outer flange 18 extends outwardly from the upward region 16 of the annular wall to an outer edge 20.

The lower region 15 of the annular wall generally extends upwardly at a predetermined angle from the central panel 12. The angle between the central panel 12 and the lower region 15 may vary. For example, the lower region 15 may be perpendicular to the central panel 12 or be at an obtuse angle to the central panel 12. According to the illustrated embodiment, the lower region 15 of the annular wall extends upwardly at a 97° angle from the central panel 12. The outer surface of the lower region defines an outer diameter. The outer diameter varies from the central panel to the upward region in applications where the angle between the lower region and central panel is greater than 90°. More specifically, the outer diameter of the lower region becomes smaller as the annular wall extends from the upward region to the central panel and thus defines a tapered lower region.

The outer surface of the annular wall 14 also defines a recessed area 24. The recessed area 24 is shaped to engage the distal end 62 of the rim 56. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the annular wall defines an annular groove.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the top opening 58 of the container may be closed by inserting the central panel 12 into and through the top opening. The outer diameter of the lower region of the annular wall 14 corresponds to the diameter of the top opening such that at least a portion of the lower region 15 of the annular wall may be inserted through the opening. The difference between the outer diameter of the lower region and the diameter of the opening may vary. In general, the greater the difference between the outer diameter of the lower region and the diameter of the opening, the greater the interference between the annular wall and the top opening. Tapering the annular wall as discussed above may facilitate the insertion of at least a portion of the annular wall through the top opening.

The annular wall 14 is inserted through the opening 58 until the recessed area 24 defined in the annular wall engages the distal end 62 of the rim 56 and thus secures the lid to the container. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the recessed area 24 may be immediately below the outer flange 18 such that the outer flange may function as a stop to help prevent the annular wall from being inserted beyond the recessed area.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, once the lid is engaged in the opening 58, the outer flange 18 generally extends over the top rim 56. The outer flange 18 curls upwardly near its outer edge 20, such that the outer edge extends 20 inward of and above the top edge 66 of the container. The extension of the outer edge inward of and above the top edge of the container provides a stacking feature for the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer edge 20 of the lid 10 in the first container 50 facilitates the stacking of a second container 150 onto the first container 50. More specifically, the top edge 66 of the first container may receive and support the bottom portion 152 of the second container 150. The outer edge 20 substantially corresponds with the inner diameter of the bottom portion 152 of the second container which inhibits the second container 150 from moving or sliding perpendicular to the first container 50. Inhibiting the movement of the second container 150 increases the stability of the stacked configuration of the containers 50, 150.

The lid may further include an internal lip 26. The internal lip 26 extends inwardly from the upward region 16 of the annular wall and is configured to provide a portion for fingers to grab. The space between the internal lip 26 and the central panel 12 may be large enough to allow a user's fingers to fit between the internal lip and the central panel as the user grasps the internal lip, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Although the length in which the internal lip extends inwardly varies, in general the internal lip is long enough to allow a user to grasp the internal lip in order to pull the internal lip and aid in the removal of the lid from the top opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal lip is substantially constant around the lid. In other applications, the length of the internal lip may vary or the internal lip may extend for only a portion of the lid.

In some embodiments, the lid 10 may be removable from the container 50 by a user grapping and pulling one the internal lip 26 and without the need of a separate removal tool. However, in other applications, a separate removal tool may be required depending on the level of seal desired between the lid 10 and the container 50. More specifically, according to some embodiments the interference fit between the container 50 and the lid 10 is great enough that a separate removal tool is required to aid in the removal of the lid 10.

The lid may further include an upwardly projecting ring 22 that extends from the outer flange 18 in a direction away from the central panel 12. As illustrated, the ring 22 may be substantially aligned with the annular wall 14. The ring may be used to facilitate the processing and handling of lids. For example, the ring may be configured to engage the lower region of an annular wall of a second lid to facilitate the stacking of lids during a manufacturing or packaging process.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A lid for a container having a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion includes a top rim defining a top opening and extending inwardly from a top edge of the container to a distal end, said lid comprising: a central panel configured to substantially cover the top opening; an annular wall extending around and from the central panel to an upward region; an outer flange extending outwardly from the upward region of the annular wall to an outer edge such that the outer flange substantially covers and is proximate the top rim and the outer edge extends inward of and above the top edge of the container; a recessed area defined by the upward region of the annular wall and the outer flange, the recessed area being outwardly facing and configured to receive the distal end of the top rim for securing the lid to the container; and an internal lip extending inwardly from the upward region of the annular wall, the internal lip being configured to provide a surface for fingers to grab and aid in the removal of the lid from the container.
 2. The lid according to claim 1 further comprising a ring extending upwardly from the outer flange.
 3. The lid according to claim 2 wherein the ring is substantially aligned with the annular wall.
 4. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the annular wall includes a tapered lower region between the central panel and the upward region.
 5. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the internal lip of the lid is below the top edge of the container.
 6. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the central panel is below the top edge of the container.
 7. A lid comprising: a central panel having an outer periphery; an annular wall extending around the outer periphery from a lower region to an upward region, wherein the lower region is tapered and defines a recessed area; an outer flange extending outwardly from the upward region to a curled outer edge; an internal lip extending inwardly from the upward region along the annular wall; and an upwardly projecting ring that is substantially aligned with the annular wall.
 8. The lid according to claim 7, wherein the curled outer edge extends above the upwardly projecting ring and the recessed area is directly below the outer flange.
 9. A container assembly for storing a product comprising: a first container having a side wall extending from a bottom end to a top end and defining an interior for storing the product, wherein the top end defines a top edge of the container and a top opening; and a lid for closing the top opening, wherein the lid includes a central panel having an outer periphery, an annular wall extending around the outer periphery from a lower region to an upward region, wherein the lower region defines a recessed area for engaging an inward portion of the container, an outer flange extends outwardly from the upward region to a curled outer edge, wherein the curled outer edge extends inward of and above the top edge of the container.
 10. The container assembly according to claim 9 further comprising a second container having a bottom end and an inward facing surface defining an inner diameter of the second container, wherein the top edge of the first container supports the bottom end of the second container and the outer edge of the lid corresponds with the inward facing surface of the second container.
 11. The container assembly according to claim 9 wherein the lid includes an internal lip that extends inwardly from the upward region for facilitating the removal of the lid from the top opening.
 12. The container assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first container further includes an end member, wherein the end member has an outer edge portion for engaging the top end of the side wall and an inner edge portion extending inwardly to a distal end and defining a top rim, wherein the recessed area engages the distal end and the outer flange extends over the top rim.
 13. The container assembly according to claim 12, wherein the lid further includes an upwardly projecting ring that is substantially aligned with the annular wall.
 14. The container assembly according to claim 13, wherein the annular wall defines a perimeter and the internal lip extends along the perimeter. 